New Rogue Command update is the "most impactful" yet for the roguelike RTS

Some may tell you the RTS is dead. Perhaps they should look again. Rogue Command takes some of the spice from deck builders like Slay the Spire and places it alongside the real-time thrill of something like Command and Conquer. This new update offers the biggest shake-ups to Rogue Command yet.

The most fundamental change to how the game plays is "blueprint pools." In prior versions of Rogue Command, you had no control over the pool of cards that you would select. Now, you can pick from pools which offer general options, for example Tanks or Healers. While still offering some randomness, the game now lets you maintain more control over the direction of your build.

The update also adds a host of new features. You can also select difficulty options at the start of each run. Balance has also been totally reworked; enemies should be less "spammy," and bigger enemies accompany swarms of smaller foes. A new specialist called the "phasewalker" lets you give your troops powerful buffs and teleport them in and out of fights. But there is now an even higher challenge. After you've finished Ascension 10, you unlock heat levels, which you can apply to make enemies faster and stronger proportionally to each level added. In theory, this offers endless new challenges. Like the best roguelike games, Rogue Command offers a truly immense amount of replayability.

You can pick up Rogue Command for $14.99 as part of the Steam Summer Sale. The deal lasts until Thursday 10 July at 10am PST / 1pm EST, or 6pm BST  / 7pm CEST on Monday January 20.

If you want more real-time thrills, check out our list of the best RTS games. If you want other kinds of tactics as well, take a look at the best strategy games.

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